Bible Dictionaries
Jehoiakim

Holman Bible Dictionary

(jih hoy' uh kihm) Personal name meaning, “Yahweh has caused to stand.” Son of Josiah who succeeded Jehoahaz as king of Judah (609-597). Jehoiakim was a throne name given to him by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, who deposed his brother Jehoahaz. His original name had been Eliakim (2 Kings 23:34 ). He and his predecessor on the throne were brothers, sons of Josiah. He reigned for eleven years. At the beginning of his reign, Judah was subject to Egypt. Probably in 605 B.C., however, Babylon defeated Egypt. Jehoiakim, who apparently had been content to be a vassal of Egypt, transferred his allegiance to Babylon, but rebelled after three years. At his death he was succeeded by his son Jehoiachin. See Israel; Chronology of Biblical Period.